JURONG WINERY : THE CONSTRUCTION OF OUR ATMOSPHERIC TRUTH

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to reverse the current situation on Jurong Island, where it is hypothesized to be perpetuating a lie in which the visibility of industrial smoke is hidden by removing the visible aspect of it (particulate matter) and letting the invisible escape into the air. By doing so, it breeds complacency and allow people to believe that there is no harmful releases into our atmosphere.

This thesis proposes to be transparent about this condition by retaining and showcasing the visibility aspect of industrial smoke. It raises the issue through paranoia and anxiety on both micro and macro levels by using strategies meant to galvanize images of dust in our air.

Not stopping at merely the creation of an image, the thesis shows an example of how this issue may be addressed by locating a tropical winery at the edge of Jurong Island. The winery takes full advantage of Singapore’s rapid progress of technology by using waste gases from the industries in the process of wine-making and proudly showcasing it. The product would eventually be sold and enjoyed by many as Singapore’s newest ultra premium export, akin to Newater in concept, which claims to be the cleanest, however, yet dubious as a result of its source.